Category Archives: Home Decor

Harmony Bird Sanctuary

Posted on by
Reply

Crafts ’n things Craft of the Day

 

Transform a STYROFOAM Brand Foam egg into a charming, vintage-look accent for your springtime home using tissue paper, stickers, and petite embellishments.

Materials

  • Dow STYROFOAM Brand Foam Egg, 4”
  • Advantus Tim Holtz idea-ology Composer Tissue Paper
  • K&Co. Brenda Walton Flora & Fauna Collection Birds and Leaves Grand Adhesions Stickers
  • Prima Marketing Cradle Robin Mini Nest with Eggs
  • Excelsior moss
  • Grapevine bird nest, 3-1/2”

Tools

  • Ranger Tim Holtz Distress Antique Linen Ink Pad
  • Flat paintbrush, 1” wide
  • Waxed dental floss
  • Adhesives: gloss-finish découpage medium, white craft glue

Basic Supplies

scissors, ruler, pencil, cosmetic wedge sponge, metal teaspoon, wax paper (to cover work surface)

Directions

STEP 1

Using pencil, draw vertical line from pointed end of foam egg, down around base, back up to tip.

STEP 2

Cut length of dental floss twice lengthwise diameter of egg. Wrap floss around egg on line, cross ends, and pull to cut completely through egg. Set aside one half-egg for future project.

STEP 3

Using metal teaspoon, remove inside of foam half-egg, creating recessed area within egg.

STEP 4

Using brush, coat inside and cut edges of egg with découpage medium; press music tissue to surface. Apply medium to outside of egg; continue pressing tissue to surface, overlapping edges and applying additional medium as needed. Trim excess tissue and découpage edges to egg. Let dry.

STEP 5

Using sponge, apply Antique Linen ink over surface of egg; let dry.

STEP 6

Using craft glue, adhere egg base into small nest. Place excelsior in nest in front of egg, spot gluing here and there. Adhere mini nest into moss at center of egg.

STEP 7

Cut desired bird from dimensional sticker and adhere into nest as shown.

STEP 8

Adhere sentiment sticker to top of egg; secure with drop of craft glue.

Tip

  • Use remaining tissue sheets and three-dimensional stickers to create coordinating wall art panels from sheets of STYROFOAM Brand Foam.

by Rebekah Meier for The Dow Chemical Co.
(www.CraftsnCoffee.com, www.StyrofoamCrafts.com)

Fleurs Garden Pot

Posted on by
Reply

Crafts ’n things Craft of the Day

 

Use stencils and Delta’s Texture Magic Dimensional Paint to transform an ordinary clay pot into extraordinary garden décor.

Materials

  • Clay pot and saucer, 6” tall
  • Delta Ceramcoat Acrylic Paints: Light Foliage Green, White, Antique White
  • DecoArt Americana Acrylic Paints: Hauser Dark Green, Antique Green

Tools

  • Stencils: floral background, small script alphabet
  • Delta Ceramcoat: Gel Stain Medium; Exterior/Interior Varnish: Matte; Satin Découpage Medium
  • Delta Texture Magic Dimensional Paint, Cashmere
  • Daler-Rowney Robert Simmons Expression Paintbrushes: Flat Wash, Series E55, 3⁄4”; Flat Shader, Series E60, #4; Filbert, Series E67, #4, #8
  • Palette knife
  • Dover Publications Redouté Flowers and Fruits CD-Rom and Book
  • Computer with printer
  • Stencil adhesive

Basic Supplies

sandpaper, soft cloth, ruler, pencil, masking tape, paper towels, newspaper (to cover work surface)

Directions

STEP 1

Sand pot; wipe dust with soft cloth. Mark 2-3⁄4”x3-1⁄2” rectangle below rim and inner rectangle, leaving 1⁄4” border. Apply masking tape along inside lines of larger rectangle to prevent seepage.

STEP 2

Use palette knife to apply Cashmere to pot, leaving rim unpainted. Adhere background stencil around pot; apply Cashmere to openings. Mix Light Foliage Green, Antique Green, and White to make green mix; basecoat rim and inside pot. Stencil “Fleurs” Cashmere.

STEP 3

Mix Antique White with White; paint inner rectangle. Use computer and CD-Rom to print Anemone clip art to fit inside inner rectangle; cut out. Follow manufacturer’s instructions to découpage Anemone to rectangle. Basecoat frame and saucer with green mixture.

STEP 4

Mix Gel Stain Medium with Hauser Dark Green; apply to pot and saucer, wiping excess with paper towels. Apply varnish.

by Barbara Greve

Stamped Ribbon Grad Frame

Posted on by
Reply

Crafts ’n things Craft of the Day

 

Create a special graduation keepsake for a loved one. An inexpensive frame and simple ribbon can be stamped to express your sentiments!

Materials

  • Flat wooden frame, 6-1⁄2″x8-1⁄2″
  • Cardstock: graduation-themed; leather texture, black
  • Black ribbon, 1⁄2″ wide, two each: 6-1⁄2″, 8-1⁄2″
  • Photo of choice

Tools

  • Stamps: diploma, graduation cap, lowercase alphabet
  • Wood primer
  • Black acrylic paint
  • Metallic gold ink pad
  • Adhesives: Aleene’s Fast Grab Tacky Glue, adhesive mounting squares

Basic Supplies

scissors, paintbrush, sandpaper, soft cloth

Directions

STEP 1

Apply primer to frame; let dry. Sand and wipe dust with soft cloth. Basecoat frame black.

STEP 2

Place frame front on back side of graduation-themed paper. Trace and cut around frame; adhere to frame.

STEP 3

Use alphabet stamp and ink pad to stamp “congrats” on both 6-1⁄2” and 8-1⁄2” ribbon lengths. Adhere ribbon around frame opening.

STEP 4

Cut two 2″ squares of leather paper; adhere back sides together. Use ink pad and diploma and graduation cap to stamp both images. Cut out images; apply mounting squares to back. Adhere cap and diploma to frame as shown. Insert photo.

Tip

  • To personalize your frame, stamp the bottom ribbon with the year or the graduate’s name.

by Debbie Rines for Duncan Enterprises

Quilled Baby Frame

Posted on by
1

Crafts ’n things Craft of the Day

 

Floral vines and whimsical quilled ducks accent this adorable handmade baby frame for your special little bundle of joy.

Materials

  • Papier-mâché frame, 8”x10
  • Cardstock: pink, blue, light green
  • Quilling paper, 1/8” wide: light green, medium yellow, orange
  • White pearls, 4mm, 12

Tools

  • Slotted quilling tool
  • Embossing tool
  • Paints: mint; dimensional: white, black
  • Gesso
  • Flat paintbrush, 1/2”
  • Paper punches: leaf; medium daisy; small flower; round, 3/16”
  • Beacon Adhesives Zip-Dry Paper Glue

Basic Supplies

scissors, ruler

Directions

STEP 1

Follow manufacturer’s instructions to apply gesso to frame; let dry. Basecoat frame mint. Add white dimensional dots to frame front.

STEP 2

For vines, cut ten 3”-long light green quilling strips. Use fingers to give slight curve to each strip. Place slotted quilling tool into one paper end and curl five to six times. Gently remove tool. Adhere three vines together for left and top sides of frame. Adhere two vines together for lower right and bottom of frame. Adhere vines to frame as shown.

STEP 3

Cut ten 5”-long yellow quilling strips. Roll two strips into loose 7/16” circles (ducks’ heads) and remaining strips into 7/16”-long teardrops (buds). Adhere buds to vines.

STEP 4

Punch out five light green leaves; use embossing tool to make veins. Adhere leaves to vines on bottom right corner. Punch out seven additional leaves, emboss veins, and adhere to vines on upper left corner.

STEP 5

Punch out five pink medium daisies. Use embossing tool to make dimple in centers. Adhere pearls to flower centers. Adhere three daisies to upper left corner and two daisies to lower right corner.

STEP 6

Punch seven blue small flowers. Embellish flowers in same way as pink flowers. Adhere five flowers to upper left corner and two flowers to lower right corner.

STEP 7

For duck’s body, roll two yellow quilling strips into 3/4”-long teardrops. Adhere bodies to top right and bottom left frame corners. Adhere heads to bodies. Cut three small 1/2” orange strips for each duck; fold in half. Adhere two on body for legs and one to face for bill. Punch two blue circles for eyes; adhere to faces. Use black dimensional paint to dot pupils; let dry.

by Sandy Rollinger

Welcome Friends Garden Sign

Posted on by
Reply

Crafts ’n things Craft of the Day

 

Look closely! Use an old chair seat to create this welcome sign, or any sign, for your garden!

Materials

  • Vintage chair seat or wooden plaque, 15” square
  • DecoArt Americana Acrylic Paints: Lamp Black, Cadmium Yellow, Warm White, Olive Green, Leaf Green, Salem Blue, Sapphire

Tools

  • Stencils: floral vine of choice; lowercase alphabet, 1-1/2” tall
  • DecoArt Americana Gel Stain: wood stain of choice
  • Royal & Langnickel Paintbrushes: Crafter’s Choice Stencil, Series 1⁄4”, 3⁄8”, 1⁄2”; Golden Taklon Liner, Series 595, #1
  • Drill and drill bits
  • Sisal rope

Basic Supplies

sandpaper, soft cloth, paintbrush, newspaper (to cover work surface)

Directions

STEP 1

If using vintage chair seat, remove old finish and sand. Apply stain to seat or plaque; wipe with soft cloth.

STEP 2

Stencil “welcome friends” with Lamp Black; shade top right side of letters Warm White. Let dry.

STEP 3

Stencil vines and flowers across top left and bottom right side of sign. Add additional vines and flowers as needed. Stencil leaves and vines Olive Green; shade undersides Warm White. Stencil flowers Salem Blue; shade centers Sapphire. Stencil dots in centers Cadmium Yellow. Use liner brush to paint Leaf Green vein through leaf centers. Let dry.

STEP 4

Drill two holes in top of sign. Insert two sisal rope lengths through holes and knot ends at top.

by Mary Ayres

Garden Flowers Towel

Posted on by
1

Crafts ’n things Craft of the Day

 

Invite your garden indoors with this dancing flower tea towel made from linen and homespun fabric.

Materials

  • Natural linen fabric, 20”x25”
  • Homespun fabric: green, 5-1⁄2”x19-1⁄2”; scraps (flowers), five prints/colors
  • Embroidery floss: green, colors to match flower fabric
  • Flat buttons to coordinate with flower fabric, five

Tools

  • Sewing machine and matching thread
  • Embroidery needle
  • Iron and pressing surface
  • Therm O Web HeatnBond Lite Iron-On Adhesive

Basic Supplies

scissors, pencil, ruler, transfer paper

Directions

STEP 1

Turn long sides and one short side of linen rectangle under 1⁄4”. Turn edges under 1⁄4” again. To hem, machine stitch close to edges.

STEP 2

With right sides facing, sew one long edge of green rectangle to raw edge of linen rectangle, 1⁄4” from edge. Turn remaining edges of green rectangle under 1⁄4”. Fold green rectangle so long turned edge is even with seam at bottom of linen rectangle. (Note: Right side of fabric should be facing outward.) Hand sew turned edges to bottom edge of towel.

STEP 3

Fuse 2” iron-on adhesive square to back of each flower fabric. Cut two 1-1⁄2”, and one 1-1⁄4”, 1-3⁄8”, and 1-3⁄4” circles from fused fabrics. Print and cut out pattern. (Note: The blue word “pattern” is a link. To access this pattern, select the link, then download and print pattern.) Remove backing from circles. Follow manufacturer’s instructions to fuse circles to towel front.

STEP 4

Use two strands of coordinating-color floss to blanket stitch around flowers. Transfer stems and leaves. Use two strands green to embroider stem stitch on stems and leaves and to sew buttons to flower centers.

by Mary Ayres

Mosaic Flower Key Holder

Posted on by
Reply

Crafts ’n things Craft of the Day

 

Forget grout and breaking tiles as in traditional mosaics! This key holder is easy enough for even a beginner. Mom will surely be amazed at your gift this Mother’s Day!

Materials

  • Wood frame (with glass), 8″x10″ opening
  • Sheet glass, 8″x10″
  • Diamond Tech Jennifer’s Mosaic Stained Glass Chips: green, blue, yellow, white
  • Blue ribbon, 7/8”, 25” length
  • Metal hinges, 3-1/2”, two
  • White porcelain doorknob, 1″
  • Gold cup hooks, 1″, three
  • Screw eyes, 1″, two

Tools

  • Acrylic paints: light blue, white
  • Glass nippers or hammer
  • Screwdriver
  • Aleene’s Glass & Bead Adhesive

Basic Supplies

ruler, paintbrush, newspaper (to cover work surface)

Directions

STEP 1

Remove glass from frame. Basecoat frame mixture of light blue and white and hinges blue. Print pattern. (Note: The blue word “pattern” is a link. To access this pattern, select the link, then download and print pattern.)

STEP 2

Use nippers or hammer to carefully break glass chips into assorted sizes. Position pattern underneath glass. Adhere chips to areas as follows, leaving small space between each: blue flower; green leaves; yellow center of flower; white background. Accent background with blue and green chips as desired.

STEP 3

Use hammer to attach hinges to frame, leaving 2″ between. Screw doorknob, hooks, and screw eyes into frame. Refer to photo for placement.

STEP 4

Place sheet glass over mosaic design; place glass in frame. (Note: Sheet glass is needed to ensure safety from glass chips.)

STEP 5

For hanger, thread ribbon through screw eyes; tie bow.

by Frances Lopez for Duncan Enterprises

Iris Vase

Posted on by
Reply

Crafts ’n things Craft of the Day

 

At first glance, you might think this is a rusted-metal vase, but it’s actually made from flexible polymer clay! The technique is easy and you’ll love the results. With Mother’s Day less than a week away, this would make a great last-minute gift for Mom.

Materials

  • Glass vase, 6” tall
  • Kato Polyclay Oven-bake Polymer Clay, 3 oz. blocks: Blue, Green, Copper
  • Iris stencil or stencil of choice

Tools

  • Craf-T Products, Inc. Metallic Rub-On Color Kit #1, Blue
  • Clay accessories: slicing blade, six-sided ruler, craft knife, clay-dedicated pasta machine
  • 3M Scoth-Brite Multi-Purpose Scour Pad

Basic Supplies

parchment-lined baking sheet or ceramic tile, oven

Directions

STEP 1

Mix together two 10mm sections each of Blue, Green, and Copper, following manufacturer’s instructions to measure and condition. Condition six 10mm sections of Copper.

STEP 2

Roll mixture and copper into separate logs. Roll and twist logs together, roll into a ball, then roll into log again. Twist log and roll into ball again. Flatten ball and run through pasta machine on thickest setting. Run clay through pasta machine on #2 setting. Gently stretch sheet so it is the same width as rollers on machine. Run through machine several times, beginning with highest setting (#1) and reducing until #6 setting is reached.

STEP 3

With more attractive side facing out, fold clay in half and run through machine several times until desired color mixture is achieved. Cut one end of sheet even. Cover vase; trim excess at overlaps. Smooth seam. Trim excess clay.

STEP 4

Position stencil on vase, aligning bottom stencil edge with bottom edge of vase. Use craft knife to cut out clay; carefully remove cut-out sections. Remove stencil and reposition so top edges are aligned. Cut out and remove clay in same way. Repeat to create one additional iris between first two.

STEP 5

Press scour pad onto clay for texture. Follow manufacturer’s instructions to randomly apply rub-on cream to vase. Bake on parchment-lined baking sheet or ceramic tile at 275° for 30 minutes; let cool in oven.

by Gail Ritchey

Sheep-and-Tree Bookends

Posted on by
1

Crafts ’n things Craft of the Day

 

Sheep are great fun to embroider. Try sketching a few sheep to help you get started—the important thing to capture is the round wooliness of them and the way their ears stand apart from their faces at right angles. They are very forgiving subjects because the wool disguises their actual shape (unlike cows which are really hard to draw). When sheep are out in the fields at their most wooly, take some pictures so you can record how they gather together in little groups, some sitting, some standing, with the faces turned at different angles.

Materials

  • A wooden block—This one was made of oak and was a 6 inch cube sawn in half diagonally. Oak is nice and heavy. You could have two cubes of wood if you prefer, and adapt the design for a square shape by putting the tree in the center.
  • Fabric to cover the bookends—I used antique French ticking in neutral colors as a contrast to the front.
  • Very light wadding (batting)
  • Threads (embroidery floss in choice of colors)

Tools

  • A staple gun

Stitch Type

  • Knot Stitch: See Tutorial Page 4
  • Loopy Stitch: See Tutorial Page 4
  • Rollover Stitch: See Tutorial Page 4
  • Satin Stitch: See Tutorial Page 4
  • Slip Stitch: See Tutorial Page 6
  • Split Stitch: See Tutorial Page 2
  • Stem Stitch: See Tutorial Page 2
  • Straight Stitch: See Tutorial Page 1

Basic Supplies

scissors, pencil, tracing paper, ruler, iron and pressing surface

Directions

STEP 1

Prepare the block by stapling the wadding to it as neatly as possible.

STEP 2

Cut pieces of fabric for the face you plan to embroider and its opposite face, allowing 1/2 inch extra all round. Staple the plain piece to the block though the wadding on the overlapping fabric, but not too close to the edge.

STEP 3

Fold the panel you are going to embroider over the block so you can mark the area of the embroidery. Do not embroider within 1/4 inch of this fold to allow yourself a bit of leeway when fixing the panel to the block. Print template. (Note: The blue word “template” is a link. To access this template, select the link, then download and print template.) Using the template, lightly trace the fence onto the panel and stitch, followed by the tree. The fence is worked in single thread and you can use either stem, split, or straight stitches. Use a different brown for the fence than the one you use on the tree. See Stitches Tutorial (Page 1, Page 2, Page 3, Page 4, Page 5, and Page 6). Stitches Tutorial reprinted with permission from Hand-Stitched Home: Inspirations, Ideas, and Projects by Caroline Zoob (Harper Collins Publishers). Some sample references may not be available for viewing.

STEP 4

Now work the tree. I always start with the trunk, working a single thread in long and short stitches to give the effect of the bark. Flare the trunk out at the bottom, imagining as you do so the way that tree roots spread out and make the ground beneath them bumpy. Build the tree trunk and branches upward with satin stitch and knot stitch using single thread, and then use rollover stitch to create a few ridges in the bark. Add the leaves using stem stitch.

STEP 5

For the sheep I use 4 strands and make tiny stitches next to each other, but do not pull the thread right through the fabric. You could use knot stitch, but I like using these loopy stitches as they feel a bit woolier. When you are happy with the body of the sheep, add their black faces, ears, feet, and tails.

STEP 6

Add blades of grass going across the legs of the sheep and the fence posts and some behind. Lastly, if you choose, add the little bird on the fence post.

STEP 7

Iron your embroidery. Staple it to the padded block. Cut a piece of fabric that will stretch around the long diagonal side and bottom of the block, allowing enough for a 1/2 inch turn under on all edges. Slip stitch the fabric to the block, starting with the embroidered panel diagonal edge and continuing around, joining the two ends underneath the block as in the picture below. Alternatively, take the block, fabric, and embroidery to an upholsterer and ask him or her to do it for you!

by Caroline Zoob

Reprinted with permission from Hand-Stitched Home: Embroidered Inspirations, Ideas, and Projects by Caroline Zoob (Harper Collins Publishers), ISBN: 9780062250049

Woven Basket

Posted on by
3

Crafts ’n things Craft of the Day

 

You can never have enough baskets! Not only are they stylish and versatile, they’ll help organize your clutter. This simple weaving technique is a quick-and-easy way to create a variety of baskets for Mom this Mother’s Day for all her storage needs.

Materials

  • Wire-mesh basket
  • Coordinating fabrics, three prints or solids

Tools

  • Beacon Adhesives Fabri-Tac Permanent Adhesive

Directions

STEP 1

Tear 1″-wide fabric strips to fit around basket. Weave alternating strips through basket holes; adhere ends at back.

STEP 2

Apply glue to one inside edge of two strips; fold strips in half. Wrap folded strip around basket rim; adhere ends.

STEP 3

Wrap two fabric strips around handles; adhere ends. Weave one strip through top, center side of basket; tie bow. Repeat on opposite side.

by Madeline Arendt